Once before, Hutter had been in the hands
of the Iroquois, and a few skins had readily effected his release.
This event, however, unknown to the sisters, had occurred in a
time of peace between England and France, and when the savages were
restrained, instead of being encouraged to commit their excesses,
by the policy of the different colonial governments.
While Judith was loquacious and caressing in her manner, Hetty
remained thoughtful and silent. Once, indeed, she drew near to
Deerslayer, and questioned him a little closely as to his intentions,
as well as concerning the mode of effecting his purpose; but her
wish to converse went no further. As soon as her simple queries
were answered - and answered they all were, in the fullest and
kindest manner - she withdrew to her scat, and continued to work
on a coarse garment that she was making for her father, sometimes
humming a low melancholy air, and frequently sighing.
In this manner the time passed away; and when the sun was beginning
to glow behind the fringe of the pines that bounded the western
hill, or about twenty minutes before it actually set, the ark was
nearly as low as the point where Hutter and Hurry had been made
prisoners.
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